Georgia is famous for many things – beautiful sights, a unique language, or delicious food usually make the list. But a hidden gem you might be less familiar with is definitely Georgian music. Rooted in the long tradition of polyphonic singing and borrowing the best elements of popular Western music, Georgian artists have created a vibrant scene that can satisfy listeners of all ages and preferences. Here’s a list of 12 artists in different genres that you can stream on Spotify while reading this article.
Hamlet Gonashvili
Photo Source: irishtimes.com
If you’re looking for an unmistakably Georgian artist, Hamlet Gonashvili will be a good start. He rose to fame in the 1950s and is still revered for his silky, yet powerful voice and artistic performances. Gonashvili mixed folk songs with the popular sounds of his time and created a wealthy discography that inspires Georgian singers to this day.
Inola Gurgulia
Photo Source: Georgian Journal
Much like Hamlet Gonashvili, Inola Gurgulia is an icon of Georgian music. She started her career in the 1950s as a musician, composer and poet. Gurgulia often sang folk songs and played string instruments chonguri and panduri. She also wrote a lot of her own music and lyrics. Some of the most beloved children’s songs – like sakanela, which translates as a swing – are still taught at kindergartens and elementary schools around the country.
Irakli Charkviani
Photo Source: lit-across-frontiers.org
We can’t talk about Georgian music without mentioning the king himself. Irakli Charkviani, known under the alias mepe – the king – shot to fame in the 1990s, just a couple of years before Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union. He was heavily influenced by classic rock and grunge and was one of the first indie artists in Georgia. Mepe experimented with indie bands but he is best known for solo songs filled with experimental melodies and expressive poetic lyrics.
Jeronimo
Photo Source: helloblog
Moving on to Georgian hip hop, we have Jeronimo – one of the first rappers in the country. Georgian rap emerged in native Kutaisi in the 1990s where young people started singing about their struggles in the newly independent country. Almost 3 decades since his debut, Jeronimo is still active on the local rap scene. His lyrics often depict the lives of working class Georgians and with that, he manages to remain relatable to young people trying to find a place in the society.
Kayakata
Photo Source: highsnobiety.com
Riding the waves of hip hop we have Kayakata – a hip-hop duo consisting of Maxime Machaidze and Zurab Jishkariani. Both artists grew up in Tbilisi and draw inspiration from the local suburbia. The duo raps in English, but never misses a chance to insert Georgian lyrics into the songs. Kayakata is definitely a go to band for gen-Z Georgians, that can relate to the musicians’ modern, eclectic sounds and escapist lyrics.
Skazz
Photo Source: billboard.com
Similarly to Kayakata, the post-punk band Skazz draws heavily from urban settings, but has a unique twist since it emerged from the underground scene in Kutaisi. The band was formed in 2021 and has since attracted a loyal and growing fanbase. The fans say that they love Skazz for the stubbornness and sincerity in their sound.
Bedford Falls
Photo Source: Bedford Falls Facebook page
Bedford Falls – yes, the name is an homage to It’s A Wonderful Life – is another local indie band that plays with Georgian and English lyrics. Think of them as your local garage band gone big – Bedford Falls started out performing at local bars and is now regularly appearing at music festivals around the country. The band is loved for its sarcastic lyrics and energetic live performances. In the most recent releases the band is going experimental and uses more Georgian lyrics, referencing nostalgia and angst of Tbilisi in the early 2000’s.
Kordz
Photo Credit: Nata Sopromadze
Composer Alexandre Kordzaia, who uses his nickname Kordz as a musical alias, grew up in a musical family between Switzerland and Georgia. He studied both electronic and classical music and offers his listeners a fusion between the two. Kordz is loved mainly for his danceable, eclectic sets performed at clubs and festivals, but you could also hear his music in concert halls – Kordz frequently arranges his compositions for classical settings and has performed with the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra.
MokuMoku
Photo Source: tbilisijazz.com
This band started out as a duo in 2014 and has since amassed 8 members. MokuMoku – the name is a wordplay in Korean – has toyed with many genres, including rap, rock, funk and jazz. But fans mostly know it as a hip-hop collective with a heavy emphasis on vocals and lyricism. Band members say they are open to incorporating even more genres in their upcoming albums, but promise to keep the recognizable edge in their lyrics.
4D Monster Lobsters
Photo Source: 4D Monster Lobster Facebook Page
The lobsters, as they are affectionately known among fans, fist appeared on stage as the newcomers at the Tbilisi Open Air festival in 2019. Since then, the band has enjoyed growing popularity. The psychedelic synch-pop sound sets the lobsters apart from other bands in the industry. Members often reference classic movies and art in their songs – like in the song Nametnavad, which is an homage to the famous Georgian film director Eldar Shengelaia.
Koleqtivi
Photo Source: Koleqtivi Facebook Page
Koleqtivi, which means a collective in Georgian, is an indie project from Tbilisi. Members say it started as a joke, but soon became known for its simple harmonies and highly sarcastic lyrics referencing trivialities of life in the capital – bar-hopping, mundane dates, football games in the backyards, or endless protesting in front of the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue.
In short,if you want to get in the head of a Georgian 20-something and learn about their fears and dreams, Koleqtivi won’t disappoint. Plus, the band’s lyrics are also strictly in Georgian, so that can be helpful if you want to pick up some vocabulary while listening to music.
Dagdagani
Photo Credit: Luka Lekveishvili
For those who prefer heavier music we have Dagdagani, a hard-rock and metal collective from Tbilisi. The band’s music features elaborate guitar solos and raw, powerful vocals in Georgian. The band maintains a distinct appearance and does not shy away from voicing despair and occasional profanity – like the song below, politely translated as “Screw This, (A Perfect Man).
Tamada
Photo Source: colorsxstudios.com
It’s only fitting to close out this list with Tamada or the toastmaster himself. As the name indicates, this Georgian artist draws inspiration from the traditional sounds accompanying a Supra – a big feast you should by all means attend if you are visiting Georgia. Tamada samples those traditional feast songs and creates versions you would easily enjoy in the club. He even came up with a name for this style – deep duqani, that we would roughly translate as deep house fitting for a biergarten.
Rémmée
Photo Source: Rémmée Facebook Page
Tini Nogaideli is a lesbian songwriter performing under the name Rémmée. Her song dao, or sister came out in 2021 and made rounds on Georgian social media – a tribute to women who died at the hands of abusive partners, dao was quickly hailed as a feminist anthem and a symbol of women empowering women. The online attention helped Rémmée move away from the underground and enter the mainstream scene. She has since been recording and releasing her original music both in English and Georgian.
